20 Players Who Did Not Transfer in January but Will Move in the Summer

20 Players Who Did Not Transfer in January but Will Move in the Summer

That crashing noise you heard late last night was the January transfer window slamming shut, and it won't open again until the summer.

Whilst moves such as Juan Mata's switch to Manchester United and Chelsea re-signing Nemanja Matic hogged the winter headlines, thoughts have already turned to the mega moves that we could see when the window opens up again.

But which players will be the ones to move? And where could they go?

Here we look at 20 players for whom the summer could bring a change of environment:

Mathieu Valbuena (Marseille)

Diminutive Marseille playmaker Mathieu Valbuena has already admitted that this will be his last season at the Stade Velodrome, per Sky Sports, and that he is seeking a move away from France after the World Cup.

At 29, there might be a few clubs unwilling to take him on due to his age, but they'd be getting a classy performer who can deliver big displays despite being so short in stature.

Where will he go? Valbuena is certainly keeping his options open, claiming that he is willing to move to England, Spain, Germany or Italy, although perhaps Arsene Wenger's French connection could bring him to Arsenal?

Fernando (Porto)

A name often featured in the gossip columns during January, such as this one in the Daily Mirror by Alex Richards, Porto's Brazilian midfielder Fernando is out of contract in the summer and would make a terrific free transfer for someone.

The Brazilian has yet to pick up a senior cap for his country, but he took up Portuguese nationality in late December and has now declared his availability for Portugal, where he has been playing for Porto since moving from the Brazilian third division in 2007.

Where will he go? As detailed in that link above, Manchester United could certainly do with Fernando's bite in midfield, whilst Liverpool could also use him too, but it was Manchester City who came closest to a deal on deadline day, per BBC Sport.

Julian Draxler (Schalke)

Julian Draxler ended up staying at Schalke for the rest of this season despite strong interest from Arsenal during January, per The Guardian's Barry Glendenning, and there is little doubt that the 20-year-old is a hot property.

He's already featured in four seasons, playing well over 100 games for Schalke whilst also picking up 10 Germany caps, and the attacking midfielder is likely to be a key performer for his country at the World Cup.

Where will he go? The Gunners are likely to be back in for Draxler again after sniffing around him so publicly last month, but a good World Cup could open up the possibility of even more lucrative moves.

Shinji Kagawa (Manchester United)

The signing of Juan Mata, as well as a couple of underwhelming years at Manchester United, has led to plenty of talk that Shinji Kagawa's future lies elsewhere, per Sky Sports.

In truth the 24-year-old Japanese international might be best advised to leave Old Trafford before he becomes cemented to the sidelines. A move at this stage of his career might help him recreate the form that led to Bundesliga titles with Borussia Dortmund in 2011 and 2012.

Where will he go? A switch back to Jurgen Klopp and Dortmund would be the one that made the most sense, although there are other Bundesliga clubs sure to be looking at him.

Glen Johnson (Liverpool)

You might not have seen England right-back Glen Johnson's name in the gossip columns too much over the past few months, but off the pitch there is still no development over his new contract at Liverpool.

Johnson has less than 18 months to run on his existing deal with the Reds, who appear reluctant to match his current, Champions League-level wages. A stand-off has ensued for the past few months, and that could all come to a head in the summer.

Where will he go? Arsenal have been tentatively linked with Johnson by talkSPORT's Warren Haughton, although a move abroad could be more likely.

Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid)

The hottest property in La Liga thanks to his stellar record of 19 goals this season, second only to Cristiano Ronaldo, the Brazilian-born naturalised Spaniard Diego Costa has quickly become one of the premier forwards in the world.

As seen with the likes of Fernando Torres and Sergio Aguero, there always seems to come a point when Atletico Madrid have to sell their prized asset for big money, and for Costa that time could be in the summer.

Where will he go? The Daily Express's Ben Jefferson reckons that Chelsea have reached a verbal agreement to sign Costa in the summer, and they are certainly one of the few clubs who could afford him right now.

Mario Mandzukic (Bayern Munich)

The arrival of Robert Lewandowski―one player who we know is definitely on the move in the summer―at Bayern Munich will make it tough for Mario Mandzukic to get game-time, and the Croatian international will perhaps already be eyeing his next club.

A scorer in the 2013 Champions League final, Mandzukic offers a great presence in the penalty area and would suit a side seeking a new forward to build their team around.

Where will he go? Perhaps Italy could be a good move for a player who is certainly in his prime. Both Milan clubs or Roma could suit him.

Luke Shaw (Southampton)

Sometimes so much hype builds up around a player that a potential transfer almost seems inevitable, and that is seemingly becoming the case with Southampton's Luke Shaw right now.

The young Englishman wouldn't come cheap―as seemingly is the case with all young English players―but with The Independent's Ian Herbert and Sam Wallace reporting that Manchester United and Chelsea are ready to go head-to-head for his services in the summer, a transfer battle is set to ensue.

Where will he go? Either one of those two clubs seems the most likely, with United perhaps having the greater need for the teenager at the moment.

Christian Benteke (Aston Villa)

Christian Benteke submitted a transfer request at Aston Villa last summer, only to eventually withdraw it and sign a new contract.

Another season of underwhelming results at Villa might lead him to look elsewhere again though, and although his form has dropped this season he is still a dangerous performer on his day and could attract interest if he has a good World Cup.

Where will he go? Tottenham have been a club continually linked with the forward in the past, per Simon Jones of the Daily Mail, whilst perhaps Everton could launch a bid for him once fellow countryman Romelu Lukaku goes back to Chelsea, although raising the cash required would be difficult.

David Luiz (Chelsea)

Although loved by Chelsea's fans, the Brazilian international David Luiz hasn't quite been able to fit in at Stamford Bridge under Jose Mourinho, and as the Portuguese showed in his treatment of Juan Mata, he isn't afraid to make a big transfer decision which might go against supporters' wishes.

Luiz could potentially be one of the faces of the summer's World Cup, and that is sure to drum up plenty of interest in the man with the distinctive hair.

Where will he go? Both Bayern Munich, per Daily Mirror's Richard Beech, and Barcelona, according to the Daily Express' James Dickenson, have been linked with Luiz in the past, and a move to either would surely suit him.

Toni Kroos (Bayern Munich)

A victim of the sheer number of midfield options at Bayern Munich, Toni Kroos undoubtedly possesses the ability to star for a club and not just be a part of it.

Manchester United were continually linked, per the Daily Telegraph'sJason Burt, with the 24-year-old German international during January, and with his Bayern boss Pep Guardiola admitting that the midfielder could leave soon, per ESPN, perhaps the Red Devils will bring him on board to improve their often-discussed midfield.

Where will he go? United are likely to go in for him again, whilst Liverpool could target him if they secure Champions League football. Staying in Germany, Dortmund could be an option.

Joleon Lescott (Manchester City)

It was somewhat of a surprise that Joleon Lescott didn't leave Manchester City in January, but a run of domestic cup matches seemingly made Manuel Pellegrini change his mind and keep one of his squad players at the club.

A lack of action has seemingly cost Lescott his England place ahead of the World Cup though, and it would surely be in the best interests of his career if he moved on in the summer, when his contract will expire and he'll make a pretty useful free transfer addition for someone.

Where will he go? As a free agent, Lescott could have the choice of several clubs in the Premier League, with Newcastle seemingly a good fit for a man who once cost City around £22 million.

Nani (Manchester United)

Linked with an exit from Old Trafford in January, to Inter Milan amongst others, according to the Daily Mail's David Kent, Nani would appear to have no future at Manchester United despite signing a new five-year contract just weeks into David Moyes' time in charge, per BBC Sport.

Having frequently flattered to deceive in Manchester and with increased competition for places following the emergence of Adnan Januzaj and the signing of Juan Mata, the Portuguese now seemingly has to leave to further his career, and he should depart in the summer.

Where will he go? Inter reportedly hold that interest, and the San Siro could be a good place for Nani to rebuild his career.

Alex Song (Barcelona)

Having frequently failed to figure in the side during his year-and-a-half in Barcelona, the former Arsenal midfielder Alex Song now surely needs a transfer to stop his career from stalling entirely.

The Cameroonian will hope that an impressive World Cup will lead to plenty of interest in him from elsewhere, and he is certainly good enough to walk into several sides in need of a combative central midfielder.

Where will he go? Should he move back to the Premier League then a reunion with Robin van Persie surely isn't out of the question?

Cristian Tello (Barcelona)

Winger Cristian Tello has flitted in and out of the Barcelona team for the past couple of years, but the time may have come for him to spread his wings and fly down the sideline for someone else.

He's scored 19 goals in his three seasons in the Barca first team, including a recent hat-trick in the Copa del Rey, but perhaps a move elsewhere will ensure that he can kick on and make the most of the talents he so clearly possesses.

Where will he go? Both Arsenal, per Daily Mail's Pete Jenson, and Liverpool, per Alan Wilson of the Daily Mirror, have been linked.

Hatem Ben Arfa (Newcastle)

Newcastle's contract discussions with Hatem Ben Arfa haven't led to any signs that the Frenchman is willing to commit to the Tyneside club, and now that his compatriot Yohan Cabaye has left for Paris Saint-Germain he might well be eyeing a similar move.

The stylish attacker does have a tendency to go missing in some games, but on his day he is a gifted performer and would make a good addition for someone.

Where will he go? Perhaps he could follow Cabaye to Paris, or if he opted to stay in England perhaps a move to a club such as Tottenham or Liverpool wouldn't be out of the equation. Italian outlet Tuttomercato (h/t to Ben Burrows of the Daily Mirror) also linked Ben Arfa to Inter Milan on deadline day.

Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund)

Although previously praised for his loyalty to Dortmund, winger Marco Reus must be frustrated at the forthcoming departure of Robert Lewandowski to Bayern Munich and the failure of his side to seriously challenge Bayern this season.

Reus is a dynamic, exciting wide man who loves to make things happen, and if he has as good a World Cup as many are expecting him to, then he could have plenty of clubs queueing up for him.

Where will he go? Manchester United have been one of the clubs most strongly linked with the German, per Jason Burt of the Daily Telegraph, but it wouldn't be a surprise to see neighbours City or Arsenal come in for him too.

Jackson Martinez (Porto)

Thought to be close to agreeing a transfer to Chelsea as recently as late November, according to John Cross of the Daily Mirror, Porto's goal machine Jackson Martinez looks primed for a move to one of Europe's big leagues in the summer.

The Colombian is set to be a hit at the World Cup, where an injury to Radamel Falcao will place more pressure on him, but he looks like he'd thrive on that pressure.

Where will he go? Chelsea might get involved again, as might Arsenal, but if Diego Costa were to leave Atletico Madrid then Martinez would be a more than adequate replacement.

Mirko Vucinic (Juventus)

After a much-publicised move to Inter Milan broke down, per ESPN FC, Mirko Vucinic also saw potential switches to Arsenal and Valencia slip away in January as noted by Goal.com.

The forward is an experienced goal-getter at the highest level, and clubs looking for a short-term fix to freshen up their forward line will undoubtedly be back in the summer for a man who still has a lot to give at the age of 30.

Where will he go? Inter perhaps have to be considered favourites after coming so close to landing the Montenegrin this month, but Arsenal and Valencia will be monitoring matters.

Eliaquim Mangala (Porto)

Just like his Porto teammate Fernando, Eliaquim Mangala was the subject of some interest from Manchester City on deadline day, when we discovered that there are prices that even they will baulk at.

According to the Phil McNulty of the BBC, City were quoted £40million for the pair by Porto, with the majority of that fee made up by French international defender Mangala, who has been a titanic presence at the back for the Portuguese side for three years.

Where will he go? Once City get involved then most other clubs don't have a chance, although it wouldn't be surprising to see PSG muscle in on negotiations in the summer.